Eutelsat was originally set up in 1977 as an intergovernmental organisation (IGO) to develop and operate a satellite-based telecommunications infrastructure for Europe.

Eutelsat started operations nearly 30 years ago with the launch of its first satellite in 1983. Since then, over 35 satellites have been launched into geostationary orbit, establishing Eutelsat as one of the leaders in the Fixed Satellite Services industry. With a fleet of 27 satellites, Eutelsat is the third largest satellite operator in the world and No. 1 in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Its market share is 14% globally and 32.6% in Western, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia (source: Euroconsult 2010).

Initially established to address satellite communications demand in Western Europe, Eutelsat rapidly developed its infrastructure to expand coverage to additional markets, such as Central and Eastern Europe in 1989, and the Middle East, the African continent, and large parts of Asia and the Americas from the 1990s.

Eutelsat was the first satellite operator in Europe to broadcast television channels direct-to-home. It developed its premium neighbourhood of HOT BIRD™ satellites in the mid-1990s to offer capacity that would be able to attract hundreds of channels to the same orbital location, appealing to widespread audiences for consumer satellite TV.

In the context of the general liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Europe, the IGO’s operations and activities were transferred to a private company called Eutelsat S.A. in July 2001 (“the Transformation”), resulting in greater flexibility for Eutelsat in pricing and developing its own distribution network.

In April 2005, the principal shareholders of Eutelsat S.A. grouped their investment in a new entity (Eutelsat Communications), which is now the holding company of the Group owning 93% of Eutelsat S.A.

HONORARY CHAIRMAN

In recognition of over 20 years of service to the Eutelsat Group, Guiliano Berretta was appointed Honorary Chairman in November 2011.